A little help differentiating please

Learning to die June 12, 2019 at 17:29 1825 views 5 comments

I’m reading a passage in which the author states “some events can cause the person phenomenological pain.” I’m trying to better understand the difference between a phenomenological consequence as compared to, let’s say, an experimental consequence. It seems as though the author is describing something more than just “experience” and I feel like I’m missing some insight here. Any thoughts?

Comments (5)

fdrake June 12, 2019 at 17:32 #297013 0 likes

Reply to Learning to die

If you can quote from the whole passage, there will probably be a contextualising example somewhere before or after it.

Learning to die June 13, 2019 at 14:27 #297341 0 likes

Sure.
The text is actually from a paper on marital conflict. The author is proposing a theory that marital conflict originates, in part, from the specific breaking of a set of "rules." The author states "In large measure, significant conflict--that is, conflict that is both phenomenological painful and enduring--arises and continues when the "rules" of the relationship that are central to either partner's sense of self are...violated."

I'm really trying to develop my own understanding of phenomenology here. When I read this excerpt I thought "what's the difference between something being "phenomenologically painful" and something being "experientially painful"? I'm not all that interested in "pain" or "marriage" or the like....I really want to better understand the difference between something that is phenomenological and something that is experiential.

Thanks

Hanover June 13, 2019 at 14:53 #297344 0 likes

Reply to Learning to dieMy reading of that passage is that "phenomenologically painful" means "experientially painful" and both adverbs are superfluous because all pain is experiential, unlike a rock, which has an existence outside of experience and it might make sense to distinguish a phenomenally existent rock and an actual rock.

That is, remove the word "phenomenologically" from the sentence and the sentence will mean the same thing.

Kippo June 14, 2019 at 12:00 #297708 0 likes

Quoting Learning to die

when the "rules" of the relationship that are central to either partner's sense of self are...violated.

I know from my experience that communication is everything in this situation. It can take time to reestablish, but it is worth doing. Eventually a channel opens.

fresco June 14, 2019 at 13:03 #297723 0 likes

I agree that 'phenomenological' and 'experiential' are synonymous in this case.

(The 'rock' example is irrelevant unless you are claiming that 'sense data emanating from physical objects or situations' is a necessary aspect of 'experiencing'. Later phenomenogists would dismiss the concept of 'an actual rock' and would claim the two adjectives are always synonymous, An alternative adjective of 'illusory' might be applicable in cases of consensual dispute about 'actuality').